Certain stages of a trip are carefully prepared. Others arise from a simple misunderstanding.
It all started during a karaoke evening in Bali. Between two songs and a few drinks, an Englishwoman enthusiastically tells us that she has just spent several days in Gili Meno... and that she has even extended her stay three times. For her, there is no doubt: if we have to choose a Gili island, it is this one.
At the same time, Sébastien has another piece of information in mind. For several days, he has been reading that it is better to avoid extremes: not to choose Gili Trawangan, the most festive, nor the smallest of the three islands. The correct option would be “the middle one”.
The reasoning then seems obvious.
“Gili Meno is between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air on the map… it has to be the middle island!”
The hotel is booked.
The problem was that no one was talking about their position on the map.
“The middle one” simply referred to… her height.
The recommended island was therefore not Gili Meno.
It was Gili Air.
And that’s exactly how we ended up in Gili Meno.
Looking back, this was probably one of the best booking mistakes we made.
After a few days spent in Nusa Penida, we finally embark for the Gili Islands. The boat makes a short stopover at Gili Trawangan before continuing to Gili Meno.
The contrast is immediate. Here, no traffic, no big beach clubs, no hustle and bustle. Gili Meno is often nicknamed the honeymoon island, and it only takes a few minutes to understand why. Everything seems calmer, slower and more peaceful.
Our hotel is a few steps from the beach and, very quickly, the program imposes itself: slow down the pace. In an hour and a half of walking, we go around the island. The rest of the time, we simply enjoy the sea, the sun and this soothing atmosphere.
What surprised us the most was the richness of the underwater life. Every morning, all you had to do was put on a mask and snorkel, walk a few meters from the beach... and the first turtles would already appear. No need for an excursion or boat: simply snorkeling from the beach of our hotel.
We also explored the seabed by diving. This outing allowed us to come across several turtles, a few baby reef sharks and especially a magnificent cuttlefish capable of instantly changing color to blend into its environment. A fascinating spectacle to observe in real life.
We also really liked the atmosphere of the island. Small restaurants, meals with your feet in the sand and sunsets quickly make time seem to slow down.
We ended up only staying a few days on Gili Meno, and that was probably the right balance. Long enough to enjoy this peaceful interlude before resuming our journey.
Ironically, this island was not at all the one Sébastien thought he was booking. And yet, this error of interpretation offered us a step that we would probably never have experienced otherwise.
It goes to show that the most beautiful travel memories are not always born from a perfectly prepared itinerary. Sometimes they simply start with a misunderstanding… and a conversation with an English girl I met in a karaoke bar in Bali.